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As leaves turn brown, temperatures plummet and skies turn grey in the UK, large swathes of southern Europe remain gloriously warm.
In October, temperatures in the Mediterranean and further south in the Canary Islands can reach 25°C or more. Beaches, meanwhile, are not as crowded as in summer and hotel and flight prices are also lower.
Sizzling Turkey
In summer, temperatures can reach up to 30°C in the quiet town of Göcek on Turkey’s Lycian coast. However, it’s not as hot in October. It’s less hectic than in Turkey’s more well-known resorts, so you won’t have to fight for space on the beach. Simply gaze out at the sea or take a walk through the beautiful surrounding countryside.
How to do it: The adults-only Layla Göcek is close to the beach and has a large pool, with doubles from £160 (laylagocek.com); return flights from Gatwick to Dalaman from £233 (es.ba.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 26 °C
Make it Malta
Malta is another good choice, with average temperatures of 18-25°C in October. Spinola Bay in the lively area of St Julian’s has a charming harbour and some great beaches. The waters here are also popular with divers.
How to do it: The sleek and contemporary AC Hotel St Julian’s by Marriott has a rooftop pool and double rooms from £160 (marriott.com); return flights to Manchester from £175 (Ryanair.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 25 °C
Perfect Portugal
The Algarve’s famous seaside resorts remain sunny well into autumn, when they are often much quieter than in summer. Head to the port town of Sagres, where Praia de Baleeira is popular with sun worshippers and windsurfers.
How to do it: The modern Memmo Baleeira hotel with sea views offers double rooms from £143 (memmohotels.com/baleeira); return flights from Manchester to Faro from £179 (easyjet.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 23 °C
Cypriot hotspot
Cyprus is another safe destination, with temperatures in October hovering around 30°C. The UNESCO World Heritage town of Paphos on the island’s west coast is also home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches, including the Blue Flag-awarded Coral Bay.
How to do it: The five-star, adults-only Cali Resort & Spa offers double rooms from £356 (caliresortandspa.com); return flights from Luton to Larnaca from £150 (en.wizzair.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 28 °C
Roast in Rhodes
Faliraki, on the Greek island of Rhodes in the Dodecanese, is often visited by families and couples, although it was once known as a party town. Its main attractions are its golden sandy beach and clear, shallow waters. It is also still warm in October. Enjoy diving, snorkelling and boat trips or simply stroll through the cobbled streets of the old town.
How to do it: The beachfront Elysium Resort & Spa offers double rooms from £156 (elysium.gr); return flights to Manchester from £178 (Ryanair.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 24 °C
Sicilian sun
The tiny UNESCO World Heritage island of Ortigia is linked to the city of Syracuse by a bridge on Sicily’s south-east coast and is often regarded as one of Sicily’s most beautiful destinations, with beaches and culture in abundance. It’s also a warm and friendly island. Head to the beaches or take a stroll through the baroque city centre, with its churches, piazzas and trattorias.
How to do it: The elegant 15th-century B&B Maecò Ortemisia offers double rooms from £134 (bbmaeco-ortigia.it); return flights from Luton to Catania-Fontanarossa from £70 (easyjet.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 22 °C
The wonderful Montenegro
The spectacular Bay of Kotor, amid the Dinaric Alps mountain range in Montenegro, is wonderfully warm in autumn. Explore nearby beaches, as well as the UNESCO-listed 12th-century cathedral in the town of Kotor.
How to do it: The beachfront Hotel Carubba offers double rooms with bay views from £159 (septemberhotels.com/carruba-tivat); return flights from Luton to Tivat from £94 (easyjet.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 22 °C
Heat of Crete
Although Crete doesn’t reach the dizzying temperatures of other places, you’ll rarely find them below 20°C in October. The water is still warm enough for swimming and the wonderful beaches around the port city of Chania are less crowded than in summer.
How to do it: The glamorous Domus Renier hotel overlooks the old harbour and lighthouse from £238 (Domusrenier.gr); return flights from Manchester to Chania from £153 (Ryanair.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 21 °C
Andalusian sun
On some parts of Spain’s southern coast you can almost see North Africa, so it’s no surprise that temperatures remain wonderfully warm long after summer.
If you’re looking for a Blue Flag beach with miles of fine, golden sand, plus cycle paths, water sports and a golf course, look no further than the family-friendly beach resort of La Barrosa, near the ancient port city of Cadiz.
How to do it: The glamorous Iberostar Royal Andalus has double rooms from £122 B&B (ihg.com); Return flights from Stansted to Jerez from £66 (Ryanair.com).
October high: 23 °C
Fuerteventura Guarantee
With guaranteed sunshine almost all year round and miles of sandy beaches, it’s no wonder the Canary Islands’ second-largest island is a favourite in October. An east coast resort, Caleta de Fuste is ideal for families and couples alike thanks to its sheltered beach and golf courses.
How to do it: The Sheraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort offers double rooms from £194 (marriott.co.uk); return flights to Birmingham from £124 (Ryanair.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 26 °C
Sunny Puglia
With its beaches and historic villages, the lush Puglia region sits right at the heel of Italy’s ‘boot’ and, being so far south, enjoys a good six hours of sunshine a day well into autumn. Head to the pristine sandy beach of Rosa Marina, surrounded by dunes, or explore Ostuni, Italy’s ‘white city’, with whitewashed buildings, cobbled streets and a 15th-century Gothic cathedral.
How to do it: The elegant Ostuni hotel offers double rooms from £145 (ostuniamare.com); return flights from Stansted to Brindisi from £49 (Ryanair.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 22 °C
The warmth of Sardinia
Like its neighbour Corsica, Sardinia is another of the warmest places in southern Europe, with temperatures staying in the mid-20s long after the British summer is over. Dune di Campana, on the south coast, has fabulous beaches with fine sand and shallow waters ideal for families.
How to do it: The Village Hotel at the Chia Laguna Resort offers free shuttles to the beach and double rooms from £172 (chialagunaresort.com); return flights from Stansted to Alghero from £34 (Ryanair.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 23 °C
Charming in Croatia
On the Croatian coast, T-shirt season lasts well into October, especially on the beautiful Cavtat peninsula. Less well-known than Dubrovnik, Cavtat Bay is surrounded by pine forests, with wonderful beaches, a charming harbour town and a countryside that begs to be explored.
How to do it: Boutique Hotel Villa Pattiera is close to the seafront and offers double rooms from £167 (villa-pattiera.hr); return flights from Stansted to Dubrovnik from £133 (jet2.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 22 °C
Heat in Ibiza
Ibiza may never shake off its party island image, but it is also an ideal destination for families looking for a warm holiday during the mid-term break. With temperatures reaching over 20 degrees, Ibiza is ideal for the elusive Indian summer. The resort of Santa Eularia des Riu has wide sandy beaches and a palm-lined promenade.
How to do it: The Hotel Tres Torres with sea views has double rooms from €116 (hoteltrestorresibiza.com); return flights to Stansted from £32 (Ryanair.com)
Maximum temperature in October: 28 °C
Warm Madeira
Madeira is a safe place to enjoy pleasant autumn temperatures. If you are looking for a spectacular landscape with cliffs, forests and dark sand beaches, check out Porto Moniz on the north coast. Don’t miss the saltwater pools formed by the rocks.
How to do it: Facing the sea, Aqua Natura has double rooms from €150 (aquanaturahotels.com); return flights to Gatwick £204 (easyjet.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 23 °C
Beautiful Greece
The Greek island of Spetses, known for its beautiful beaches and grand neoclassical mansions, is a favourite with Athenians on holiday thanks to its proximity to the mainland. Plus, the temperature stays fabulously warm, with a pleasant 23°C well into October. Relax in the warm waters of Agios Mamas Beach in Spetses town or at nearby Kaiki Beach.
How to do it: The glamorous Poseidonion Grand Hotel offers double rooms from £156 (poseidonion.com); return flights to Luton from £74 (en.wizzair.com); return ferries from Athens to Spetses from £84 (ferryhopper.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 23 °C
Tenerife scorching
With their proximity to the coast of West Africa, it’s no surprise that the Canary Islands are hot in the autumn. As the largest island, Tenerife has beaches galore, and this is the time to grab a bargain. Puerto de la Cruz is the best-known tourist destination, but if you’re looking for somewhere quiet, the old fishing village of Garachico, with its brightly coloured houses, has volcanic rock pools perfect for swimming.
How to do it: The 17th-century Hotel La Quinta Roja in Garachico offers double rooms from £133 (quintaroja.com); return flights to Stansted from £94 (jet2.com).
Maximum temperature in October: 29 °C
